Rugby Canada and head coach Kingsley Jones have ‘mutually agreed to part ways’ following the conclusion of the 2024 international season, with fans celebrating the news.
The former Wales forward replaced Mark Anscombe as head coach of the senior men’s team in 2017 but has now stepped down from his role as preparations ramp up towards qualification for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Kingsley Jones steps down
“It has been an honour, and a great experience for myself and my family, to be with Rugby Canada over the last seven years,” said Jones in a Rugby Canada statement.
“The discipline, hard work and professionalism of the great people in this program are second to none, and I would like to thank the players and the staff for their commitment and support.”
Nathan Bombrys, Rugby Canada CEO added: “On behalf of Rugby Canada, I would like to thank Kingsley for his dedication and contributions to rugby in Canada over the last seven years. We wish him and his family all the best in this next chapter.”
Jones oversaw 48 Test matches during his seven-year spell managing just 14 wins and while Canada did manage to qualify for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan through the repechage tournament, they lost all three of their matches while their clash against Namibia was cancelled due to Typhoon Hagibis. Canada would also fail to qualify for Rugby World Cup 2023 in France.
It was the first time in Rugby World Cup history that Canada failed to qualify but despite that fact, Jones was handed a two-year contract extension that was set to expire in 2025.
This year, Canada won just one of their seven Test matches, falling to a heavy 73-12 defeat to Scotland before beating Romania 35-22 but that win was followed by a five-game losing streak as they fell to Japan (55-28), USA (28-15), Tonga (30-17), Chile (44-14) and Romania (35-27).
“Rugby Canada has already begun work on a succession plan, with further information to be announced in due course. Jones will stay on to see Rugby Canada through this transitional period,” the statement confirming his departure added.
Social media reaction
The news of Jones’ departure has been met with widespread glee from fans after his ‘abysmal’ stint.
“Canada part company with Kingsley Jones finally after 7 years ending one of the most prolonged abysmal international head coaching stints of all time. Now those responsible for giving repeated contract extensions must all go too,” Tier 2 Rugby remarked on social media platform X.
One fan added: “3 years late, but Kingsley Jones FINALLY steps down as Head Coach for Rugby Canada’s Men’s team.”
Squidge Rugby, who has been highly critical of Jones over the years, was also delighted about the news.
“Genuinely buzzing. There’s more changes that need to be made, but from today onwards a proud rugby nation can finally begin rebuilding,” he wrote in a quote retweet of the statement.
And he was not alone with many fans weighing in with brutal comments.
“Thank goodness for that. About 5 years too late. The board should all resign immediately too. Dreadful coach not helped by a totally dysfunctional playing infrastructure. Sad to see how far Canada has fallen since Word Cup 2015,” one fan remarked.
While another reacted along the lines of “good riddance”, “it finally happened” and “better late than never!”
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/about-5-years-too-late-fans-brutal-reaction-to-canada-coachs-departure-after-abysmal-7-year-spell
